Over £30,000 Paid Out Following Data Breaches at South Western Ambulance Service

New figures have shed light on ongoing data protection failures at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, showing more than £30,000 has been paid out in compensation following data breaches over the past three years.

The information was obtained by Data Breach Claims UK and highlights the continued risks faced by emergency services as they rely more heavily on digital systems.

Compensation claims and breach numbers

Since 2022, nine compensation claims linked to data breaches have been brought against South Western Ambulance Service. These claims resulted in £32,375 being paid to individuals whose personal data was affected.

In the 2022/23 financial year, five data breach incidents were recorded. The same number was reported again the following year. More recent figures show a reduction, with three incidents recorded over the past year, suggesting some improvement but also underlining the need for continued vigilance.

📷Copyright: DataBreachClaims.org.uk

What type of data is at risk?

Ambulance services routinely handle highly sensitive personal information. This includes medical details shared during emergency calls, observations made at the scene, and patient records passed on to hospitals.

The fast paced and time critical nature of ambulance work, combined with widespread use of digital systems, creates ongoing risks to data security.

Common causes of breaches

Freedom of Information responses revealed the most common causes of data breaches within South Western Ambulance Service.

Emails sent to the wrong recipient were the most frequent issue, accounting for four incidents. Failures to properly redact information caused a further three breaches.

While cyberattacks often attract the most attention, many data breaches arise from everyday problems such as human error, IT system faults, or the loss of devices containing personal data.

Wider concerns over cyber threats

The figures come amid broader concerns about cybersecurity across emergency services. Earlier this year, cybersecurity firm NCC Group published research warning of growing digital threats facing blue light services. The research highlighted a 15% rise in ransomware attacks during 2024, which can severely disrupt emergency response systems.

As ambulance trusts become more reliant on connected technology, both the volume and sensitivity of the data they handle continue to increase.

📷Copyright: DataBreachClaims.org.uk

Legal perspective on data breaches

Tekena Bobmanuel, data breach solicitor at JF Law, said ambulance services handle some of the most sensitive personal data that exists, including medical records, emergency care notes and contact details for patients and their families.

Tekena said when that information is mishandled, lost or accessed without authorisation, the consequences for those affected can be extremely distressing.

Tekena also explained that UK data protection law gives individuals the right to seek compensation if failures to protect personal data cause emotional harm, anxiety or financial loss. According to Tekena, compensation claims are about accountability and ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place, with affected individuals needing to be made aware of their rights.

Support for affected individuals

Data Breach Claims UK offers support to people whose personal data has been compromised in an ambulance service data breach. The organisation can assess whether individuals have grounds to submit a claim and operates a 24 hour helpline alongside an online claim form available through its website.

As digital patient records continue to expand across the NHS, maintaining strong data protection measures remains essential to protecting public trust and avoiding further financial strain on health services.